Youth drowns

LAHORE - A 20-year-old man drowned in the canal near Burj Pind at Badian Road, rescue workers said on Tuesday. The man, yet to be identified, was swimming in the canal when he suddenly drowned in the deep waters. Rescuers reached the spot and launched an operation to fish out the victim. The body was not recovered till Tuesday night.Meanwhile, District Coordination Officer Capt (R) Usman issued new SOPs for monitoring and regulating swimming and bathing in Lahore Canal and enforcing Section 144 at designated points.The DCO also banned on swimming in River Ravi and BRB link canal and imposed Section 144. He also imposed Section 144 on swimming in seven different points of Lahore Canal which include: From Khaira Bridge to VR Bridge; from Harbanspura under pass to 1000ft towards Mall Road; from Dharampura under pass to 1000ft towards Mall Road; from Jail Road under pass to 1000ft towards FC College underpass; from Doctor Hospital to 1000ft towards Thokar Niaz Baig; and from Thokar Flyover to Lahore Bridge. These seven identified points were cordoned off with coloured ropes/wires in order to restrain entry into banned areas of canal, while the District administration also directed concerned police stations to take action against violators of Section 144.In a similar fashion, the administration also decided to monitor the points of Lahore Canal where citizens swim. These ten points include: From VR Bridge to Sozo Water Park Bridge; from Haji Jamal Bridge to Ring Road Bridge; from Sultanpura Bridge to Taj Bagh bridge; from Fateh Garh Bridge to Tajbagh Bridge; from Chobucha Bridge to Dharampura Bridge; from Mian Mir Bridge to Jail Road Bridge; from Mall Road Bridge to Jail Road Bridge; from FC College Bridge to Ferozepru Bridge; from Jinnah Hospital Bridge Doctor’s Hospital Bridge; and around Thokar Niaz Baig flyover.Concerned TMAs will install flexes at the designated points, mentioning precautionary measures and hazards of swimming in the canal. Professional divers, present on the sites, will safeguard the divers in case of any untoward incident. At each point, employees of TMA, Rescue 1122, Revenue department, Health Department and Civil Defence Departments are also performing their duty.